You must be excited. One year of education over and tucked under your belt. You remittance on the past year you were put to the test. Challenged by your lack of sleep, and the many distractions- good or bad- that seemed aimed at you throughout your time on campus. You laughed, cried, and was pushed to what seemed like your limit, and now you’re looking your second year in the face.

Now you anxiously await move-in day, and to see all those familiar faces who had helped you to get through the year. You have learned from the past the best ways and worst ways to move-in and are fully prepared to tackle the tight living once again. You have already discussed with your roommate and have developed a precise list of lists you need to bring and the layout of your shared space. With your vehicle loaded to the max with all your belongings and way too many extension cords you leave for your destination. You are prepared…Or so you hoped.

You remember entering as a freshman, and how scary it was? You had no idea what to bring, or if you’ve brought too much with you. You arrived early at all your classes, triple checking to make sure it was the right one. It took some time to make new friends but once you did, you realized that they were there for you no matter what. You were tested, tired, and procrastinate one too many times. Looking back now, you feel a sense of pride. You accomplished your first year and have decide to attend you second making you defeat the odds that most college freshmen don’t continue onto their second year.

As excited you must be to see your friends again, and to be settled down in your cozy dorm room, you’re still afraid. Will you be tested again? Will this year hold too many surprises or challenges? Will you be able to keep your head above the flooding water again this time? Will you be pushed past your limit and break, or will you set new limits, and be victorious in each challenge? These questions, I have realized, you will ask every year of your education. You will never be fully prepared for what is about to come your way. College is a lot of taking what is handed to you and running with it. The only way to prepare is to literally expect the unexpected, because that all you’re probably gonna get.

So are you scared yet? You shouldn’t be; you’ve done this all before. Your determination has brought you thus far and it’s ready to carry you further. During your freshman year, you struggled, then you recovered, and the idea of this made the approach of this coming semester seem less menacing, because when it all comes down to it, you made it once… Time to do it again.